Piga Firimbi is committed to providing accurate and impartial fact-checks to the public. We adhere to the International Fact-Checking Network’s (IFCN) Code of Principles to ensure the highest standards of transparency, fairness, and accountability in our work. These standards and policies will be reviewed and updated periodically.
Mission Statement
Our mission is to promote a more informed citizenry by verifying the accuracy of claims made in the public sphere, particularly those with the potential to mislead or deceive. We aim to empower the public to make informed decisions by providing clear, impartial, and evidence-based fact-checks.
Core Values
- Accuracy: We prioritize accuracy above all else. Our fact-checks are thoroughly researched and supported by reliable sources.
- Fairness: We present all sides of a claim fairly and without bias. We avoid using inflammatory language or targeting individuals.
- Transparency: We are transparent about our methodology, funding sources, and any potential conflicts of interest.
- Accountability: We are accountable to our readers and the public. We welcome feedback and are committed to correcting any errors we may make.
Fact-Checking Process
Our fact-checking process is outlined here. In summary, once a claim has been identified, our team of fact-checkers will do background research on the subject, conduct verification using a variety of tools, compile the claim, background information and supporting evidence, and eventually compile everything before publishing the fact-check on our website and circulating it on social media.
We seek to ensure that all our fact-checks meet the following standards:
- Claim Selection: We prioritize claims that are widely circulated, have the potential to mislead the public, and are relevant to public discourse.
- Research: We utilize a variety of sources to verify claims, including reputable news outlets, academic journals, government data, and primary sources. We prioritize primary sources whenever possible.
- Rating System: We utilize a clear and consistent rating system to indicate the accuracy of a claim – True, Mostly True, False, Misleading or False Headline.
- Evidence: We clearly explain the reasoning behind our ratings and provide links to the evidence supporting our conclusions.
- Context: We provide context for complex claims and acknowledge any uncertainties or limitations in our knowledge.
Editorial Policies
Our editorial policies draw from the overall Africa Uncensored policy. We adhere to the following values:
- Objectivity: We strive to maintain a neutral and objective tone in our writing. We present facts without editorializing.
- Respect: We treat all individuals with respect, regardless of their political affiliation or viewpoint.
- Attribution: We properly attribute all sources of information.
- Corrections: We promptly correct any errors identified in our fact-checks.
- Transparency on Conflicts of Interest: We disclose any potential conflicts of interest that may arise in our work.
Funding and Transparency
- We disclose all of our funding sources on our website here.
- While we accept funding from state sources such as funds that are sourced from taxpayer-funded grant-making organizations, these organizations and the states they represent have no input in our editorial content.
- We do not accept funding from sources that could influence our editorial decisions.
- We maintain a clear separation between our editorial and fundraising activities.
Feedback and Complaints
- We encourage feedback from our readers on our fact-checks and our work in general.
- We provide a clear and accessible process for submitting complaints and an explanation of our correction policy here.
Adherence to IFCN Code of Principles
We are committed to upholding the highest standards for fact-checking as outlined in the IFCN Code of Principles. For a complete overview of the code, please visit https://www.ifcncodeofprinciples.poynter.org/.
Contact Us
If you have any questions regarding our standards and policies, please contact us here.
Thank you for your trust in Piga Firimbi.
